3. Nick Abendanon
Breaking out onto the Premiership scene for the 2006/07 season, Nick Abendanon lit up the English top division with exhilarating performances for Bath. Flying in for scores from fullback or along the wing, Abendanon scored 10 tries in his inaugural season at the Rec. This prompted the conversation for Abendanon’s England call-up, as he was fast-tracked into the wider training squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
However, Abendanon was unable to secure an initial spot for France, missing out to the favoured Josh Lewsey. However, a late injury to Lewsey saw Abendanon called in for the last training week, ahead of the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final. Unfortunatly, the Dutch-born flyer was not included for the match-day squad, as England suffered a 15-6 defeat to the Springboks.
Consistent form within the England Saxons put Abendanon amongst the conversation for inclusion at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. However, despite the public opinion calling for Abendanon’s inclusion, the talented winger was again left out of the squad, with Martin Johnson having the decisive call this time around. Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Mark Cueto and Ben Foden were all preferred over Abendanon, who missed out on the trip to New Zealand.
Abendanon would not wait to be let down a third time, as he called time on his England career following a move away from the Premiership. The fullback left Bath after over 200 caps in 2014, setting his sights on ventures in France, agreeing a deal with Clermont Auvergne.
Abendanon progressed into the world’s best back-three players, and won the 2015 Champions Cup Player of the Year Award. However, as Abendanon was stationed overseas, he ruled himself out of contention for the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups.